RI Blood Center Seeks Donors to Replenish Supply

The Rhode Island Blood Center shipped blood to Boston hospitals to help victims of the explosions at the marathon. Now, the Center is looking for Rhode Island donors, but not for emergencies.

The Center said in a statement that it doesn’t anticipate needing to send more units of blood to Boston hospitals. What went to Boston didn't come from emergency donations, but what was already on the shelves.

That’s why the Blood Center is encouraging Rhode Islanders to become regular donors and keep their scheduled appointments to donate. The Rhode Island Blood Center is the sole source of blood and blood products for all Rhode Island hospitals’. It has to collect nearly 400 pints of blood a day just to keep up with the community’s regular needs.

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Reports are coming in from Rhode Islanders who experienced the incident firsthand. One North Kingstown runner finished the race moments before the explosions. Frank Coseglia said he was a block and a half away when it happened, and wasn’t sure what was going on.

Everyone at RIPR is hoping you made it home safe today if you were on scene at the Boston Marathon. But even if you made it home without physical injuries, you might find yourself suffering from some completely understandable emotional trauma. Here are some resources to help you cope: